Kentucky 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Kentucky's listed 2026-27 archery deer season runs Sep 5, 2026-Jan 18, 2027.
September Season Canada Goose opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Sep 15, 2026.
Chase-only Black Bear opens Jun 1, 2026 and closes Sep 30, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Kentucky KDFWR.
- archery deer
- Sep 5, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
- waterfowl
- Sep 1-15, 2026
- bear
- Jun 1-Sep 30, 2026
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Kentucky 2026-27
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Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
Zone details do most of the work
Kentucky's big seasons are easy to recognize, but zone and weapon rules decide what a hunter can actually do on a given weekend. Read the deer, turkey, and elk rows with the official zone map open.
The agency planner remains the final source for quota hunts, permit deadlines, and county-level exceptions.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Kentucky KDFWR before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Kentucky
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 1 station in Kentucky. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Special Season (CWD Surveillance Zone)
Sep 27-28, 2025
Antlerless only using firearm, bow or crossbow; antlered deer may not be taken. Implemented under authority of Commissioner Rich Storm.
Zone: CWD Surveillance Zone counties only
White-tailed Deer
Special Season
Sep 27-28, 2025
Antlerless only using firearm, bow or crossbow; antlered deer may not be taken during this season by any method. Two-day hunt implemented under authority of Commissioner Rich Storm.
Zone: CWD Surveillance Zone counties only
White-tailed Deer
Youth/Senior Crossbow
Sep 5, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
1st Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan. (MLK Day)
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 5, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
1st Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan. (MLK Day)
White-tailed Deer
Crossbow
Sep 19, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
3rd Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan. (MLK Day)
White-tailed Deer
Youth-only Firearms
Oct 10-18, 2026
2nd Full Weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in Oct. Dates span Oct. 10-18 as listed in regulation.
White-tailed Deer
Early Muzzleloader
Oct 17-18, 2026
3rd Full Weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in Oct.
White-tailed Deer
Modern Firearms
Nov 14-29, 2026
2nd Sat. in Nov. for 16 days (closes Sun.)
White-tailed Deer
Late Muzzleloader
Dec 11-20, 2026
2nd Sat. in Dec. for 9 days (closes Sun.)
White-tailed Deer
Free Youth Weekend
Dec 26-27, 2026
1st Full weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) after Christmas. Youth aged 15 or younger; no hunting license or deer permit required but must comply with all other statewide deer hunting requirements.
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth
Apr 4-5, 2026
1st full weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in Apr.
Wild Turkey
Spring General Season
Apr 18-May 10, 2026
Sat. closest to Apr. 15, closes on Sun. after 23 days
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery
Sep 5, 2026-Jan 18, 2027
1st Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan.
Wild Turkey
Fall Crossbow
Oct 1-Dec 31, 2026
Two segments: Oct. 1-18, 2026 and Nov. 14-Dec. 31, 2026. Oct 1 thru 3rd full weekend in Oct.; 2nd Sat. in Nov. thru Dec. 31.
Wild Turkey
Fall Shotgun
Oct 24-Dec 11, 2026
Two segments: Oct. 24-30, 2026 and Dec. 5-11, 2026. 4th Sat. in Oct. for 7 consecutive days; 1st Sat. in Dec. for 7 consecutive days.
Bear
Black Bear
Chase-only
Jun 1-Sep 30, 2026
Two segments: June 1-Aug. 31, 2026; Sept. 9-30, 2026. Not permitted on WMAs until 3rd Saturday in August. Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA is closed to bear chase and all bear hunting seasons.
Zone: All Bear Zones
Black Bear
Archery/Crossbow (September)
Sep 19-Oct 2, 2026
Fourteen consecutive days beginning on the third Sat. in Sept.
Zone: Bear Zone 3
Black Bear
Hunt with Dogs
Oct 19-23, 2026
Five consecutive days beginning Mon. prior to 4th Sat. in Oct. Any legal equipment may be used.
Zone: Bear Zone 1
Black Bear
Hunt with Dogs
Oct 19-Nov 6, 2026
Two segments: Oct. 19-23, 2026; Oct. 29-Nov. 6, 2026. Five consecutive days beginning Mon. prior to 4th Sat. in Oct.; and nine consecutive days beginning on Thur. following the 4th Sat. in Oct. Any legal equipment may be used.
Zone: Bear Zone 2 and 3
Black Bear
Archery/Crossbow
Oct 24-26, 2026
Three consecutive days beginning on the fourth Sat. in Oct.
Zone: Bear Zone 1
Black Bear
Archery/Crossbow
Oct 24-28, 2026
Five consecutive days beginning on the fourth Sat. in Oct.
Zone: Bear Zone 2 and 3
Black Bear
Firearms
Dec 12-16, 2026
Five consecutive days beginning on the second Sat. in Dec.
Zone: Bear Zone 2 and 3
Black Bear
Firearms
Dec 12-14, 2026
Three consecutive days beginning the second Sat. in Dec.
Zone: Bear Zone 1
Elk
Elk
Youth-only Quota
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Youths may enter a separate drawing pool for either-sex elk permits valid for use during all elk seasons listed above.
Zone: Elk Zone
Elk
Archery/Crossbow (either sex)
Sep 12-Dec 11, 2026
Two segments: Sept. 12-25, 2026; Dec. 5-11, 2026. 2nd Sat. in Sept. thru 4th Fri. in Sept.; 1st Sat. in Dec. thru 2nd Fri. in Dec.
Zone: Elk Zone
Elk
Firearms - Bull (antlered)
Sep 26-Oct 7, 2026
Two weeks: Week 1: Sept. 26-30, 2026; Week 2: Oct. 3-7, 2026. Last Sat. in Sept. for 5 consecutive days; 1st Sat. in Oct. for five consecutive days.
Zone: Elk Zone
Elk
Firearms - Cow (antlerless)
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 6, 2027
Two weeks: Week 1: Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2026; Week 2: Jan. 2-6, 2027. Last Saturday in Nov. for 5 consecutive days; Last Saturday in Dec. for 5 consecutive days.
Zone: Elk Zone
Waterfowl
Canada Goose
September Season
Sep 1-15, 2026
Sept. 1 for 15 consecutive days
Zone: Western September Canada Goose Zone
Canada Goose
September Season
Sep 16-30, 2026
Sept. 16 for 15 consecutive days
Zone: Eastern September Canada Goose Zone
Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose & Brant
General
Nov 26, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Thanksgiving Day thru Feb. 15
Duck, Coot, Merganser
General
Nov 26, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Two segments: Nov. 26-29, 2026; Dec. 7, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027. Thanksgiving Day for 4 consecutive days; Dec. 7 thru Jan. 31.
Light Goose
Conservation Order
Feb 16-Mar 31, 2027
Feb. 16 - March 31
Snow Goose (including Ross' Goose)
General
Nov 26, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Thanksgiving Day thru Feb. 15
Teal
General
Sep 19-23, 2026
3rd Sat. in Sept. for 9 consecutive days
Waterfowl
Youth-only
Nov 21, 2026-Feb 14, 2027
Two days: Nov. 21, 2026 and Feb. 14, 2027. Sat. before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sat. in Feb.
Waterfowl
Military/Veteran-only
Nov 22, 2026-Feb 8, 2027
Two days: Nov. 22, 2026 and Feb. 8, 2027. Sun. before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sun. in Feb.
Waterfowl
Falconry
Nov 26, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Goose: Nov. 26, 2026-Feb. 15, 2027; Duck: Nov. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Thanksgiving Day thru last Sun. in Feb.
Wood Duck
General
Sep 19-23, 2026
3rd Sat. in Sept. for 5 consecutive days
Dove
Mourning Dove
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Three segments: Sept. 1-Oct. 26, 2026; Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2026; Dec. 19, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027. Youth & mentored dove applications due 1st Monday in August through 3rd Friday in August. HIP survey required.
Pheasant
Pheasant
Quota Hunt
Nov 20-22, 2026
3rd Fri. in Nov. for 3 consecutive days
Zone: Green River WMA
Pheasant
Quota Hunt
Dec 4-6, 2026
1st Fri. in Dec. for 3 consecutive days
Zone: Clay WMA
Pheasant
Quota Hunt
Dec 4-6, 2026
1st Fri. in Dec. for 3 consecutive days
Zone: Yellowbank WMA
Quail
Quail
Hunting
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Two segments: Nov. 1-13, 2026; Nov. 16, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027. Nov. 1 thru Jan. 31. Closed first 2 days of modern gun deer season.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Quail
Hunting
Nov 16, 2026-Feb 10, 2027
3rd day of modern gun deer season thru Feb. 10. Closed first 2 days of modern gun deer season.
Zone: Western Zone
Grouse
Grouse
Hunting
Nov 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Two segments: Nov. 1-13, 2026; Nov. 16, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Nov. 1 thru last day of Feb. In Grouse Hunting Zone only. Closed first 2 days of modern gun deer season.
Zone: Grouse Hunting Zone
Ruffed Grouse
Hunting
Nov 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Nov. 1 thru last day of Feb. Two segments: Nov. 1-13, 2026 and Nov. 16, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Closed first two days of modern gun deer season. In Grouse Hunting Zone only.
Zone: Grouse Hunting Zone
Rabbit
Rabbit
Hunting
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Two segments: Nov. 1-13, 2026; Nov. 16, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027. Nov. 1 thru Jan. 31. Closed first 2 days of modern gun deer season.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Rabbit
Hunting
Nov 16, 2026-Feb 10, 2027
3rd day of modern gun deer season thru Feb. 10. Closed first 2 days of modern gun deer season.
Zone: Western Zone
Rabbit
Trapping
Nov 16, 2026-Feb 10, 2027
Only trap when both small game hunting season and trapping season overlap.
Zone: Western Zone
Rabbit
Trapping
Nov 16, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Only trap when both small game hunting season and trapping season overlap.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Squirrel
Squirrel
Spring
May 16-Jun 19, 2026
3rd Sat. in May thru the 3rd Sun. in June
Squirrel
Fall Hunting
Aug 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Two segments: Aug. 15-Nov. 13, 2026; Nov. 16, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. 3rd Sat. in Aug. thru Feb. Closed first 2 days of modern gun deer season.
Squirrel
Fall Trapping
Nov 16, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Only trap when both small game hunting season and trapping season overlap.
Furbearer
Bobcat
Hunting
Nov 21, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Third Saturday in Nov. thru last day of Feb. Bobcat permit required.
Furbearer
Falconry
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 30, 2027
Sept. 1 thru Mar. 30
Furbearer
Trapping
Nov 16, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
1/2 hour before sunrise on 3rd day of modern gun deer season thru last day of Feb.
Furbearer
Free Youth Hunting & Trapping Week
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Sat. after Christmas for 7 consecutive days (closes Fri.)
Groundhog
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Open season year-round
Groundhog
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Open season year-round
Opossum
Hunting
Oct 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Oct. 1st thru last day of Feb. Night hunting closes 30 min before sunrise on opening day of modern gun deer season.
Raccoon
Hunting
Oct 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Oct. 1st thru last day of Feb. Night hunting closes 30 min before sunrise on opening day of modern gun deer season.
River Otter, Muskrat, Mink, Beaver, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Weasel & Striped Skunk
Hunting
Nov 16, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
1/2 hour before sunrise on 3rd day of modern gun deer season thru last day of Feb.
Small Game
Small Game
Falconry
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 30, 2027
Sept. 1 thru Mar. 30
Small Game
Free Youth Hunting & Trapping Week
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Sat. after Christmas for 7 consecutive days (closes Fri.). Youth aged 15 or younger may take small game with hunting or trapping license but must comply with all other statewide requirements.
Migratory Birds
Common & Purple Gallinule
General
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2026
Sept. 1 for 70 consecutive days
Crow
General
Sep 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Two segments: Sept. 1-Nov. 7, 2026; Jan. 4-Feb. 28, 2027. No Migratory Bird/Waterfowl permit or HIP survey required for crows, but hunting license still required unless license exempt.
Dove
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Three segments: Sept. 1-Oct. 26, 2026; Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2026; Dec. 19-Jan. 10, 2027. Youth & mentored dove applications due 1st Monday in August through 3rd Friday in August. HIP survey required.
Sandhill Crane
Quota Hunt
Dec 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Permits available only for quota hunt drawings through September; purchased online only through Licenses and Permits app. Hunters must possess printed or electronic proof of valid crane hunting permit.
Snipe
General
Sep 16, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Two segments: Sept. 16-Oct. 25, 2026; Nov. 26, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027. 3rd Wed. in Sept. for 40 consecutive days; Thanksgiving Day for 67 consecutive days.
Virginia & Sora Rail
General
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2026
Sept. 1 for 70 consecutive days
Woodcock
General
Oct 24-Dec 9, 2026
Two segments: Oct. 24-Nov. 13, 2026; Nov. 16-Dec. 9, 2026. 4th Sat. in Oct. for 47 consecutive days. Closed first weekend of modern gun season.
Coyote
Coyote
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Open season year-round. Night hunting with lights allowed Dec. 1-Mar. 31 and May 16-June 30. Specifically: May 16-June 30, 2026 and Dec. 1, 2026-March 31, 2027. Special restrictions apply; consult Hunting & Trapping Guide for areas where night hunting on coyotes is prohibited.
Coyote
General (Year-round)
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Open season year-round. Night hunting with lights allowed Dec. 1-Mar. 31 & May 16-June 30. Night hunting with lights 2026-27: May 16-June 30, 2026 & Dec. 1, 2026-March 31, 2027. Special restrictions apply; consult Hunting & Trapping Guide for areas where night hunting is prohibited.
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Kentucky Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Kentucky?
September 5, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Kentucky; it is youth/senior crossbow white-tailed deer Sep 5, 2026-Jan 18, 2027.
When is Kentucky's firearm deer season?
Kentucky does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Kentucky KDFWR for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in Kentucky?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Kentucky yet. Check Kentucky KDFWR for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Kentucky?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Kentucky hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Kentucky KDFWR.